Disneyland Capacity Numbers

Last updated on December 17th, 2024 at 04:45 pm

Disneyland Resort Capacity 

What is Disneyland’s max capacity? I don’t know from official Disney sources, because that information is not released to media or the public.Disneyland Capacity

But I can make educated estimates from credible sources and past published research.

Disneyland Park capacity is estimated at 90,000. My estimate based off of past estimates and current expansions. For example, L.A. Times estimated Disneyland’s capacity was 80,000 and that was pre-2019, before Galaxy’s Edge. A newer report in 2020 estimates Disneyland Park capacity at 85,000 from the O.C. Register.

Disneyland Crowds

 

O.C. Register also estimated Disneyland Park sees about 51,000 visitors each day, which of course is different from estimated capacity.

California Adventure Park capacity is estimated at 50,000 but an average day sees about 27,000 people in attendance, according to the O.C. Register.

California Adventure gate

This makes both theme parks have an estimated capacity of about 125,000 give or take. I don’t know, I haven’t personally counted. But I do ask any Disneyland exec I meet with just for fun, because I know they are trained very well for media relations and will not give me that information. 

Going on a very popular day? 

Here’s some suggestions if you’re going on some of the most popular dates of the year:

  1. Arrive early and make your favorite rides a priority during the morning hours. Only leave the security bubble if you must. On busier days, security lines are exceptionally long. 
  2. Download your Park Plan—it’s a strategy you won’t want to skip with step by step rides in maximum, time saving order!
  3. If you need parking before Disney lots open, try various hotels along Harbor Blvd. This article has some spots for advance parking reservations off site but close enough to walk. 
  4. Consider parking off site and take an Uber in. You’ll get dropped off at the Harbor Blvd. Pick Up / Drop Off area.
  5. Utilize Lightning Lane to get on popular rides. Note that Lightning Lane options can and will run out so plan accordingly.

Lightning Lane Sign DCA

Compare These Capacities

So we have our ballpark number—but what does that even look like? How do we as normal humans even know what 4,000 or 20,000 people in one place feels like?

  • Disneyland Resort estimated capacity 125,000
  • Dodger Stadium capacity 56,000 (largest stadium in the MLB, Go Dodgers!)
  • Staples Center capacity 20,000 (when set upf or basketball)
  • SoFi Stadium capacity 70,240

Disneyland Dodger Family

It’s hard to imagine that many people in one place. And it’s a good thing we can all move around quite a bit so sometimes it won’t feel like there are that many people. 

Touring Plans also has some interesting stats about ride capacity. For example, they note Storybook Land Canal Boats, King Arthur Carrousel and Mad Tea Party go through about 1,000 hourly riders each. That’s 4,000 people just on those rides alone.

King Arthur Carrousel Disneyland

Disneyland knows how to keep people moving!

And since Disneyland requires reservations, they know how many people to expect and ideally can better control crowds, traffic flow, staffing and more.

What If Reservations are Full

Remember, now that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has opened, there’s a lot more room in the park. But there’s a few things you can do in advance to plan for capacity issues.

Disneyland ticket booth

  1. Tickets & Reservations

Before you even get to Disneyland and you’re considering when to go, research my yearly planning guide to get an idea of what’s going on and when.

Purchase tickets in advance to make full use of the reservation system. Then book theme park reservations 180 days in advance, as each day of your trip opens for the most availability. 

Another thing you can do prior is book dining reservations inside Disneyland Park 60 days in advance. Finding dining reservations is still tricky, I suggest using MouseDining to snag hard to get spots with their free alert system. 

If you’re hoping to snag reservations for a sold out day, keep reading. Here’s some tips I’ve collected since Disneyland has been operating with reservations. 

  1. You still want a ticket attached to your account. Do not wait until you see a reservation to buy! They go that fast, there’s no time to buy. 
  2. Check the availability every morning, and random times throughout the day. Yes, it could be considered a full time job. 
  3. Last, most expensive tip? If you can make reservations at one of the Disney owned hotels, their reservations are from a different pool and might have some available. 

California Advneture gates

Crowds Q&A

It’s a rare thing, but its true—Disneyland can reach capacity. In today’s speak capacity means the max amount of guests to staff to attraction ratio that Disney has set behind the scenes. We don’t know this ratio.

Merries Nite crowd

The reservation system is here to help ensure Disneyland is fully staffed and prepared for the number of guests they expect on any given day. You can see the Disneyland availability calendar here

 

Disneyland reservation calendar

How often does Disneyland reach capacity?

Reservations open 180 days in advance for most ticket types, but the good news is we have not seen days fill up very far in advance. Even on very well attended days like the 4th of July, there have still been reservations available a couple of weeks before. 

But don’t wait! Some more popular days fill up quicker, like weekends and the days between Christmas and New Years.

Disneyland 4th July

Other days likely to reach capacity?s Major attractions opening, returning parades or land openings.

How many people does it take to reach capacity?

Disney doesn’t release those numbers to the public, but the L.A. Times puts it at around 80,000 and that was before Galaxy’s Edge.

When did Disneyland last reach capacity? 

Before reservations were a thing, Disneyland sometimes closed their gates to ticket holders due to capacity.

Capacity was reached on 12/27/19, 12/27/18 and again on 12/28/18. It also reached capacity on those same exact dates in 2017.

Here’s the rundown of what happened and when:

  • 2020 and beyond – reservations dates may become full but we have yet to see a day people with reservations can’t get in due to capacity, reservations are working.
  • 12/27/19 Disneyland Park stopped selling tickets at 9:42 am, but California Adventure tickets remained available. 
  • 12/27/18 Disneyland Park closed for new guests around 1:00 pm and Disneyland stopped selling 1 day tickets to Disneyland Park, but California Adventure 1 day tickets were still available.
  • 12/28/18 Disneyland Park again closed for new guests, but this time allowed guests to buy 1 day tickets and enter California Adventure, then be issued a specific return time to enter Disneyland. This was new, I’ve never seen this happen and can’t imagine the park would lighten up very much to allow new people in. It was also reported that all FASTPASSES in both parks were “sold out” or distributed by 3:00 pm.
  • 12/27/17 Disneyland Park closed for new guests at 1:00 pm due to large crowds and a massive power outage affecting many attractions. Guests who previously entered Disneyland Park may be permitted back in at that time. Disneyland Park opened again to all guests at 5:00 pm
  • 12/28/17 Disneyland closed to capacity at 11:00 am and stop selling tickets. Guests who had previously entered Disneyland Park were permitted back in at that time. Disneyland Park opened again to all guests at 12:55 pm. So you can see that they do their best to keep park gates open, but that’s not to say it will be comfortable once you do get inside.

How busy do you think it’ll be?

Busy. I always prepare for a busy day with an itinerary in-hand, a dining reservation set so I can relax a bit and a lot of patience packed. What’s crowded to one person may not be crowded to another, so plan on it being crowded and maybe you’ll get surprised.

Disneyalnd Castle empty

One way I know it’s not crowded, besides empty walkways and low wait times—if I continue to see and pass the same groups again and again throughout the parks—and recognize that I’ve seen them before. Then, I know it’s a chill day at Disneyland.

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8 thoughts on “Disneyland Capacity Numbers

  • SYT

    Great insights on Disneyland capacity! It’s fascinating to see how these numbers fluctuate throughout the year. Can’t wait to plan my next visit!

  • Annie

    I go on 12/27 – one of the days you listed as capacity the last few years. We had planned to go back to Paradise Pier after lunch but may rethink that since you suggested we don’t leave the park since we might not get back in (we do have dining reservations in DL at 6:30). Thanks for the heads up!

    • Hi Annie, I think it will still be ok for you to go back after lunch. Especially considering they have reservations to avoid this. Add that to your dining reservation and I truly think you’ll be ok getting back in.

  • Andrea

    Hi, we want to go to Disneyland September 19 & 20. But it looks like disneyland hotel and many surrounding hotels are booked when we want rooms (Sept 18-21) Do you know why?

  • Clarrisa

    I have reservations for dec 1&2 and I see reservations for the rest of the year are full. Do you think that means the park will be absolutely packed every day?

  • Caitlin

    Do you think they change the capacity right now from day to day? I watch the Disney app to monitor wait times. I’m going on the 18th and I anticipate the day will reach their limited capacity. Since they’ve reached their limited capacity today, do you think watching today’s wait times will give me a decent idea or my day? Or do you think reaching capacity means different things on different days? I don’t know if that made sense. I appreciate your time and any insight you may have!

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